International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development

Kathmandu, Nepal

Addressing SLCPs in the Himalaya: ICIMOD’s Atmosphere Initiative

Arnico K. PandaySenior Atmospheric Scientist

Programme Coordinator, Atmosphere InitiativeInternational Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD)

Kathmandu, Nepal

Japan Side Event on SLCPs National Stadium

Warsaw, Poland, 19 November 2013

ICIMOD – International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development

8 member intergovernmental

organization

AfghanistanBangladesh

BhutanChinaIndia

MyanmarNepal

Pakistan

ICIMOD’s Regional Programme 4 Cryosphere and Atmosphere

• Cryosphere Initiative

• Atmosphere Initiative

• Established in January 2013

The atmosphere Initiative

The team:Arnico Panday (coordinator)Vanisa SurapipithBidya Banmali PradhanRenate FleinerSandro BlumerLinda MaharjanLiza MaharjanMaheswar Rupakheti (visiting scientist)+ 2 new hires

Initiative Objectives

1. Improve scientific knowledge about emissions sources, atmospheric processes, atmospheric change and impacts in the region.

2. Identify, pilot, and disseminate effective mitigation options.3. Build capacity in the region.4. Facilitate trans-boundary collaboration and sharing.5. Contribute to national, regional, and global policy.

Motivating research questions

MODIS Terra, 15 February 2008

What is black carbon’s contributions to melting Himalayan snow and ice?

What fraction of the melting is due to:• Greenhouse gas induced warming• Black carbon warming of the air• Black carbon deposition onto white surfaces?• Changes in precipitation due to aerosol effects?

1973 2011

Photo: ICIMOD archive Photo: A. Panday

High altitude observatory (Langtang, Nepal) Atmospheric modeling Airborne measurements over snow and ice (in collaboration with NASA)

What is the contribution of the Indo-GangeticPlains to pollution in Himalayan valleys?

Ridge-top observatories on top of foothills in Bhutan and Nepal Atmospheric modeling

Are high altitude forest fires a big source of black carbon reaching the glaciers?

High altitude observatory (Langtang, Nepal) Atmospheric modeling Airborne measurements over snow and ice (in collaboration with NASA)

How do pollutants cross the Himalaya?

Haze in the cross-Himalayan Kali Gandaki Valley

Observatory in Jomsom, Nepal (in collaboration with University of Virginia) Atmospheric modeling

Why has there been a big increase in winter fog covering the northern Indo-Gangetic Plains?

Airplane view on 29 Dec 2012

Satellite view on 29 Dec 2012

Atmospheric modeling (Upcoming) winter field campaign Observatory in Lumbini, Nepal

Are increases in black carbon and other aerosols changing the monsoon?

Ridge-top observatories on top of foothills in Bhutan and Nepal Atmospheric modeling

What fraction of Kathmandu’s air pollution is local?

• What are the relative contributions from vehicles, from brick kilns, from garbage fires?

• How much is from outside the valley, from the surrounding hills and valleys, from southern Nepal and from India?

“Sustainable Atmosphere for the Kathmandu Valley” (SusKat-ABC) field campaign (Jan-June 2013) and follow-up activities.

Atmospheric modeling (in collaboration with multible groups) Establishment of permanent air pollution monitoring station.

Garbage fires

To what extent does the time of day of fires matter?

Garbage fires at dusk

Measurement of emissions sources (proposed collaboration with U. Montana)

Atmospheric modeling

Planned ICIMOD-initiated atmospheric observatories

Kanpur125 m

Nam Tso4900 m

NCO-P5079 m

Jomsom2900 m

Manora Peak2000m

The upcoming two ridge-top observatories

Manora Peak2000m

Kanpur125 m

Nam Tso4720 m

NCO-P5079 m

Jomsom2900 m

Ichhyakamana,Nepal. 1860 m

Gedu, Bhutan~2200 m

Gedu passProposed site

BHUTAN SITE

View from Gedu, Bhutan to the South:BHUTAN SITE

Proposed observatory

Proposed observatory in Ichhyakamana, Nepal NEPAL SITE

VIEW FROM ICHHYAKAMANA SITE, LOOKING WEST NEPAL SITE

Annapurna Himalaya Manaslu Himalaya

View from Ichhyakamana site looking north NEPAL SITE

Ichhyakamana & Gedu to be equipped with instruments to measure:

• Carbon dioxide, methane, ozone• Aerosol size distribution• Cloud condensation nuclei• Aerosol composition, including black carbon• Aerosol optical properties• meteorology

CURRENT STATUS: proposals submitted to governments of Nepal and Bhutan, answered questions… waiting for approval to proceed with construction

Three satellite stations to be set up in 2014:

• Langtang (just below Mera Glacier)

• Lumbini (Nepal-India border)

• Kathmandu City

Lumbini

Ichhyakamana

Langtang

Jomsom

Kathmandu City

The Atmosphere Initiative’s work on mitigation

• Assess the menu of choices available:– Cook stoves

– Brick production

– Transportation

• Do research in those areas where we can provide value-added knowledge.

Improved biomass cook stoves:• To what extent do they reduce BC emissions?• How does one effectively disseminate stoves that reduce BC?

Upcoming study in Makwanpur, NepalControlled experiment

• 2 very similar valleys, in Bajrabarahi (intervention) and Chitlang (control).

• Work with local women’s group to distribute best available fan-assisted biomass cookstove in 700 households of Bajrabarahi.

• Monitor indoor, outdoor air quality, people’s health (with medical students)

• Study social aspects of cookstove distribution.

Capacity building & knowledge distribution

• Planning a new Masters’ and PhD programme in atmospheric science, focused on issues in the mountain areas of our region.– Need people on an international advisory board

• Short training courses.

• Documentary films, websites, teaching materials.

ALSO: HIRING TWO NEW STAFF:

• Aerosol scientist

• Air quality specialist/engineerDetails at: www.icimod.org/vacancies

Collaborations & Contributions to Policy• Facilitating the creation of a

network of scientists in the region collaborating across borders.

• Ministerial meetings, raising awareness about trans-boundary interdependences.

• Active membership in the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC).

THANK YOU!

path

Peak

area

The Atmosphere Initiative’s contribution to science:

• Assess current atmospheric monitoring network across the Himalaya and identify gaps.

• Work towards a regional monitoring plan.

• Establish ICIMOD-initiated atmospheric observatories in collaboration with national partners.

• Organize field research campaigns.